Protective covering or jacketing means



31%, 19440 E. J. HERTER, JR

PROTECTIVE COVERING OR JACKETING MEANS Filed June 22, 1943' 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

1, 194416 5 i HERTER, JR 2,365,25

PROTECTIVE COVERING OR JAGKETING MEANS Filed June 22 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 5mm UTE/ 1221; e72,

Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Edward J. Herter, Jr., Ridgewood, N. J., assignmto Metal Textile Corporation, West Orange, N. J a corporation of Delaware Application June 22, 1943, Serial No. 491,781

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a protective covering or jacketing means for application over precision finished or highly polished surfaces of machine parts or other bodies, whereby to protect the same from injury by accidental blows; from contact and abrasion by dirt, dust, metal- 110 particles or the like; and, generally, to guard such surfaces against scratching, scoring, denting or similar inJuries from any cause.

The manufacture and assembling of machine parts, during production of machinery in which they are incorporated, in many cases involves parts having exposed surfaces which must be exactingly dimensioned and finished to very precise requirements, both as to dimensions and finished surface condition; the latter especially, being frequently that of exact smoothness or high polish which is required to be kept free from scratches, scores, dents or other surface imperfections to avoid rejection. In manufacturing steps and processes, it is often necessary to transport such parts from place to place about the factory for subjection of the same to required production operations, and finally for assembly in the machine of which they form a part. During such transportation, the exposed highly finished surfaces, unless adequately and suitably protected, are subject to the risk of injury by accidental blows, by contact with abrasive dust or other foreign matter, or from other extraneous cause. Similar protection may likewise be required for exposed parts of machinery or other bodies during shipping transit and handling thereof.

Having these things in view, this invention has for an object to provide a novel construction of protective covering or jacketing means adapted to be applied over highly finished parts of machines or other bodies in enveloping and guarding relation thereto, whereby to protect the same against injury. I

The invention has for another object to provide a novel protective covering or jacketing means for the purposes stated which is composed of knitted mesh material which will readily conform itself to the contours of a machine or such as a cotton or other equivalent textile yarn, while the outer layer comprises a more openly knit mesh, knitted from a strand of rigidulous material, such as metallic wire, or from both rigidulous material and cotton or other equivalent textile yam to form a composite mesh, wherein said rigidulous and textile strands are preferably knitted together in parallel; whereby, when the covering or jacketing means is applied in use, a soft and relatively closely knit mesh layer is, disposed in direct contact with the surface to be protected, whereas theouter layer of rigidulous or metallic mesh or of composite mesh, as reen-forced by a rigidulous or wire component, as the case may be, is disposed to receive the brunt of any blow or other impact so as to distribute and absorb the shock thereof, as well as to prevent cutting or like injury to the innersoft mesh layer.

The invention has for a further object to provide a protective covering or Jacketing means of the character described substantially in the form of a sleeve closed at one end and having its opposite end open; the open end being finished with a rolled edge to provide a handhold, whereby to facilitate manipulation of the covering or iacketing means when applying the same to and over a part desired to be protected thereby.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be unother part over which it is applied, so as to be clingingly held thereto against displacement therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel protective covering or jacketing means formed by associated inner and outer layers of knitted mesh material, wherein the inner layer or layers comprise a relatively closely knit mesh, knitted from a suitably sized soft yarn,

ing,'1 nainly by dotted outline and in part section v and in part elevation, said protective covering or jacketing means, and Fig. 2A isa magnified face view of the covering or Jacketing means fabric, with a portion of the outer mesh layer, shown in composite form, broken away to disclose the underlying inner layer of said fabric.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a flanged machinepart showing the peripheral edge portion of its flange enclosed or jacketed by another modified form of protective covering or jacket-- lng meansaccording to this invention; and Fig.

4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of said modified form of protective covering or Jacketing means, with a portion of the inner mesh layer of the fabric thereof broken away to disclose the outer mesh layer of said fabric.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of said drawings, the reference character Ill indicates an engine crank shaft, having at one end a shaft extension H, and at the other end a journal portion l2. The shaft extension II is enveloped in a protective covering or boot A, and the journal portion ii in a similar suitably sized protective covering or boot B; said coverings or boots being made according to and embodying the principles and novel characteristics of the instant invention.

Each said protective covering or boot comprises a hollow body or sleeve of knitted mesh fabric which includes a soft inner layer or layers (only one being shown however) of knitted mesh and an outer layer of knit mesh comprising a rigidulous strand or combination thereof with a textile strand, the latter composite form of mesh being shown in Fig. 2. The inner mesh layer 20 is knitted from a soft yarn or strand of textile or like material. such as a cotton yarn or suitable size, e. g., a three strand number It cotton yarn, although, of course, the selected size of yarn may vary according to the size of the covering or boot and the particular purpose for which it is made. It is desirable, however, that the inner mesh layer 20 be relatively closely knit, so as to provide a reasonably tight or close loop structure. The outer mesh layer 30, in the composite form thereof shown in Fig. 2, is knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous material, such as steel or other metallic wire m, and of textile or like material, such as cotton yarn c. Said outer composite mesh layer is preferably relatively loosely knit, so as to provide a more open loop structure as compared with the tight or close loop structure of the inner mesh layer.

The inner and outer mesh layers are disposed in contiguous relation, and together form the wall structure of the sleeve which constitutes the body of the covering or boot. The sleeve may be made of any suitable diameter and length generally conformable to the part over which it is to be drawn for protective enveiopment thereof. Since, however, the wall structure of the sleeve is composed of layers of knit mesh which will give or stretch more or less both laterally and longitudinally, it will be obvious that the sleeve will quite readily conform itself substantially to the contours of the part over which it is protectively applied, and will tend to cling thereto with substantial resistance to accidental displacement; to which effect the springy character of the rigidulous or wire component m of the outer mesh layer 30 greatly contributes.

In a preferred form of covering or boot, one

end of the sleeve or body is closed and the op posite end thereof left open. The closed end may be closed in any suitable or convenient manner. In an illustrative arrangement of closed end formation, as shown, marginal end portions of the sleeve or body are brought together in outwardly projecting meeting relation, and then embraced by a binding strip ll; the assembly thus obtained being stitched or stapled together by stitching or the like 42 (see Fig. 2). Thus not only is an end of the sleeve or body closed but the inner and outer mesh layers 2| and II are secured together against displacement from their mutual wall structure forming relation. The open end of the sleeve or body is preferably formed to provide an external annular enlargement around its mouth. which not only secures the inner and outer mesh layers 20 and 30 together against displacement from their mutual wall structure forming relation, but also provides a convenient handhold for grasping the sleeve or body when manipulating the same whereby to draw it over a, machine or other part to be protectively enveloped thereby. In an illustrative arrangement of open end formation. as shown, the inner mesh layer 2| of the sleeve or body is provided in a length somewhat in excess of the length of the outer mesh layer 30. so that an end marginal portion of the former projects longitudinally beyond the adjacent end marginal portion of the latter. The end marginal portion 2| of the inner mesh layer 20 is folded around the end marginal portion ll of the outer mesh layer, thus enclosing the raw edge of the latter. The two end marginal portions 2| and 3| are then rolled outwardly and back upon themselves, and the free edge 22 of the inner mesh layer is thereupon stitched or stapled to the underlying wall structure of the sleeve or body by stitching or the like I (see Fig. 2), thus forming it rolled external handhold portion H.

When the covering or boot, constructed substantialb' as above described, is applied in enveloping relation to a part to be protected, the soft inner mesh layer lies contiguous to the surface of the part, and said layer, being relatively closely knit, will prevent abrasive dust, dirt or foreign matter from coming in contact with the surface covered thereby. The soft inner mesh layer in combination with the rigidulous material of the outer mesh layer cushions and distributes shoclr impacts over a considerable area so that consequent damage to the underlying surface is prevented. Furthermore the outer mesh layer by reason of its rigidulous material or wire strand emciently guards the cotton mesh, and especially that of the inner mesh layer, against cutting when the covering or boot is subjected to blows by sharp bodies. The rigidulous material or wire of the outer mesh layer, by reason of its resilient or springy character, provides the additional advantages of aiding the covering or boot to cling to irregularly shaped bodies.

As already above indicated, in some cases it may be desirable to employ knitted rigidulous material or wire mesh alone for the outer layer of the covering or Jacketing means, in which case the textile component may be omitted.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. there is shown therein another modified form of protective covering or Jacketing means which is comprehended within the principles of this invention. In this form, the covering or jacketing means is shaped to provide an annular band of suitable width which is adapted to be applied over and so as to embrace and cover peripheral edge portions of machine parts desired to be protected. For example, as shown by way of illustration, the reference character ll indicates a machine part having a flange I the peripheral edge portion 82 of which may be guarded against inJury by application thereto of a protective covering or iacketing means 0 of the modified form above referred to.

The protective covering or Jacketing means C comprises an endless band of knitted mesh fabric which includes a soft inner layer or member of knitted mesh 10 and an outer layer or member of knit mesh 80 comprising a rlgldlllous strand or a combination thereof with a textile strand, the latter composite form or mesh being shown in Fig. 4. The inner layer or member 10 preferably comprises a length of flattened tubular mesh of suitable width knitted from a soft yarn or strand of textile or like material with a comparatively closely knit loop structure. The outer layer or member 80, in the composite form thereof shown in Fig. 4, comprises a length of flattened tubular mesh of suitable width knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous material, such as metallic wire m, and of textile or like material, such as cotton yarn into a comparatively more open or loose loop structure. Said outer layer or member 80 is externally superposed upon the inner layer or member 10, and suitably secured thereto. as by stitching 8i; whereupon these members are formed into an endless band of selected diameter. by suitably joining their meetings ends together as at 82. It is preferable that the outer layer or member 86 exceeds somewhat in width the width of the inner layer or member 10, whereby to assure maximum elasticity of the band side margins. In use, the band C is stretched circumferentially to pass over and embrace the flange edge portion 62 desired to be protected. Owing to the ability of the mesh material to give or stretch more or less both laterally and longitudinally, it will be understood, that the band will readily contract into clinging relation to the flange edge portion 62, and since the elasticity of the free side marginal portions of the outer mesh layer or member 80 is somewhat greater than that of the combined medial portions of the superposed inne'r and outer layers or members, the contracting tendency of the edge portions of the band C is somewhat enhanced, whereby the band will assume a concavo-convex form in cross-section, the better to cling to the flange edge portion with substantial resistance to lateral accidental displacement therefrom. It will be understood that the springy character of the rigidulous or wire component m of the outer mesh layer or member is a substantial factor in effecting the desired elasticity of the band, whereby to assure its clinging conformation to the part or body protectively embraced thereby.

It will be obvious that the band C provides means for efficiently guarding a part or surface covered thereby from injury. It will also be understood that the outer layer or member 80 of the band C may comprise knitted rigidulous or wire material alone, the soft yarn being omitted, where such form is desired or more advantageous in any given case.

From the above it will be appreciated that a very eilicient and easily applied protective covering or jacketing means is provided for the purposes described, and one which is substantially self-sustaining against accidental displacement from a part to which it is protectively applied.

scribed, comprising a jacketing body having a wall structure composed of an inner mesh layer knitted from soft yarn, and a contiguous outer composite mesh layer knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous material and soft yam.

3. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a iacketing body having a wall structure composed of an inner mesh layer knitted from soft yarn, said inner mesh layer being closely knit to provide a comparatively tight and close loop structure, and a contiguous outer composite mesh layer knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous material and soft yarn, said outer mesh layer being somewhat loosely knit to provide a relatively open loop structure.

4. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a sleeve having a wall structure composed of an inner mesh layer knitted from soft yarn, and a contiguous outer mesh layer knitted from rigidulous material, one end 01 said sleeve being closed and the opposite end thereof being open, and marginal portions of the open end of said sleeve being outwardly and backwardly rolled upon themselves and secured to provide an external annular handhold portion surrounding the open end of said sleeve.

5. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a sleeve having a wall structure composed of an inner mesh layer knitted Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A protecting covering for the purposes described, comprising a jacketing body having a wall structure composed of an inner mesh layer knitted from soft yarn, said inner mesh layer being closely knit to provide a comparatively tight and close loop structure, and a contiguous outer mesh layer knitted from rigidulous material, said outer mesh layer being relatively loosely knit to provide a comparatively open loop structure.

2. A protective covering for the purposes defrom soft yarn, said inner mesh layer being closely knit to provide a comparatively tight or close loop structure, and a contiguous outer composite mesh layer knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous material and soft yarn, said outer mesh layer being somewhat loosely knit to provide a relatively open loop structure, one end of said sleeve being closed and the opposite end thereof being open, and marginal portions of the open end of said sleeve being outwardly and backwardly rolled upon themselves and secured to provide an external annular handhold portion surrounding the open end of said sleeve.

6. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a jacketing body having a wall structure composed of an inner layer knitted from cotton yam into a comparatively tight or close loop mesh, and a contiguous outer layer knitted from rigidulous metallic wire into a relatively loose or open loop mesh.

'7. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a jacketing body having a wall structure composed of an inner layer knitted from cotton yarn into a comparatively tight or close loop mesh, and a contiguous outer composite layer knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous metallic wire and cotton yarn into a relatively loose or open mesh.

8. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a sleeve having a wall structure composed of an inner layer knitted from cotton yarn into a comparatively tight or close loop mesh, and a, contiguous outer composite layer knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous metallic wire and cotton yarn into a relatively loose or open loop mesh, one end of said sleeve being closed and the opposite end thereof being open, and marginal portions of the open end of said sleeve being outwardly and backwardly rolled upon themselves and secured to provide an external annular handhold portion surrounding the open end of said sleeve. 4

9. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a, jacketing band having a wall structure composed of an inner flattened tubular mesh layer knitted from soft yarn, and

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a contiguous outer flattened tubular mesh layer knitted from rigidulous material, said layer; being secured together against relative displacement.

10. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a jacketing band having a wall structure composed of an inner flattened tubular mesh layer knitted from soft yarn, and a contiguous outer flattened tubular mesh layer knitted from rigidulous material, said layers being secured together against relative displacement, and said outer mesh layer exceeding in width the width of said inner mesh layer whereby to provide free marginal portions thereof of maximum elasticity along the sides 01' said jacketing band.

11. A protective covering for the purposes described, comprising a Jacketing band having a wall structure, composed of an inner flattened tubular mesh layer knitted from soft yarn into a comparatively tight and close loop structure, and a contiguous outer flattened tubular mesh layer knitted from parallel strands of rigidulous material and soft yarn into a relatively loose or open loop structure, said layers being secured together against relative displacement, and said outer mesh layer exceeding in width the width oi said inner mesh layer whereby to provide free marginal portions thereof of maximum elasticity along the sides of said Jacketing band.

EDWARD J. HERTER, J R. 

